Citizen of the Day: Driven to dance

Kelsey Hutcheson is devoted to the SCHS dance team.

 

Kelsey Hutcheson is an incoming junior at San Clemente High School, but her resume began much younger, when she started taking dance lessons. Her grandmother gave her a tutu on her first birthday, as an enticement to begin to dance. It was a gift well received.

Born and brought up in Orange County, Kelsey and her family moved to San Clemente when she was in first grade. The eldest of three, Kelsey has a brother, Connor, a sister, McKenna, her mom Julia and dad, Brian. Oh, and a Golden Retriever, Torry. Kelsey is also an acolyte at St. Clement's By-the-Sea Episcopal Church.

Q. I understand you like to dance, when did that begin?

A. It started when I was 3. My grandmother was really the driving force who started me dancing. As I got older, I got better and began special programs for the more advanced dancers, called Dance Production. We went to competitions and performed at the Orange County Fair. I did tap; ballet, jazz, and all that stuff, but I didn't really start hip-hop until high school. It's what I believe I'm best at right now.

Q. How is it being the youngest member of the team?

A. When I was in my freshman year, and the youngest, it wasn't bad at all because I was paired up with the sophomores so I wouldn't be by myself and they were the best. I was accepted as one of them and was never considered the only freshman.

Q. Who's your coach?

A. My coach this year is Kelly Devine - she also teaches ROP classes. She's a really nice person and great coach.

Q. In being a member of the team, what's the most difficult?

A. Trying to get competitions ready. Our competition season starts in February, then National, which is held at Anaheim Convention Center, is in March. A lot of that time is rehearsing, fixing and practicing all the dances. That's kinda hard when all of us girls are together because we love having fun. It's sometimes hard, but it's worth it.

Q. What's the most rewarding?

A. Definitely, those National titles! It's an amazing feeling. You should have seen us - they count down from the lowest to the winner. Some of the cities start with "San" something and we'd hear that and freak out! Until they called San Clemente! We've won three National titles. It's the most ecstatic feeling in the world! Everyone supports each other, even if you're not in a dance that wins - everyone's a winner on our team. We now want to expand our range of National titles - we want to try to get some jazz.

Q. How does the Dance Team give back to the community?

A. We do a lot of community service work. We've done a "Red Ribbon Week Parade" where we go and dance for all the kids there. We did the "Hunger Week" this year on Del Mar and recently we did a walk for the new Community Center. In previous years, we've won the Sheriff's Star Award for our community service. I think it's a great thing, because they do so much for us - giving us money, particularly this year, because we're trying to get a new dance floor so we can stop injuries by getting more springs in the floor. We're almost there - we've raised $15,000, but need $30,000.

Q. What do you want to do after high school?

A. I definitely want to go to a four year college. As of now, I'm planning to major in Public Communications and Public Relations, and maybe a minor in dance. But I definitely hope to go on dancing for the rest of my life.

Q. And after college?

A. I want to start a career - either being a publicist - maybe in the fashion magazine business - I like fashion editing a lot. Basically, I want to be a strong business woman - someone who can take time off and not let it take over their life. So, after I have a good career, I want to get married - live in somewhere like San Clemente because I love it! Maybe have a job part time, because I definitely want to be a stay-at-home mom.

Want to contribute to the team? Tax deductible donations may be made to: San Clemente Dance Team, % Joan Forrest, 601 Calle Reata, S.C. 92673

Do you think someone you know should be recognized as Citizen of the Day? E-mail: mcumm0707@cox.net or fax 949-366-2449. Please include your name and phone number.